Dayton to Asheville 4-24-2012
Up early in anticipation of the departure!!
Followed Pete and Geneva out of the driveway just about 10:00 AM.....Destination Lake Powhatan Campground, part of the US Forest Service. Pow is located very close to the BRP, about 12 miles South of Asheville.
P&G took the direct route, as they were driving a 31 foot Airstream and towing their 99 Wing. I opted for a different route, and rode through Cleveland TN, Ducktown, Murphy, and Bryson City, and Cherokee. The BRP start or ends just outside of Cherokee, NC.
The day started out sunny, but a bit chilly. Probably around 50, and I was suited up in the full leathers!! I was feeling sassy. Had their been a gay pride parade nearby, I would have fit right in!! Something about those crotchless chaps!!
Along 64, which follows the Ocoee River for a while, my first pic of the day was one of the many dams that the TVA built and regulates.
I had traveled this route once before, on my maiden Valkyrie tour, but it was raining hard and cold, so I was not able to enjoy this very scenic route. Today I did! A bit of road construction was underway, so I was able to stop and capture this disturbing road sign.....
Kept heading east through Andrews and onto Bryson City. Just West of Bryson, stopped for a quick shot of this suspension bridge.
I don't like them!! They really move! But the shot of the river was worth it!!
Heading East, the skies were darkening. Ah, it's only 30% chance of rain. No problemo, right? Stopped at the Bryson City McDonalds for my $3.29 usual....Two McDoubles and a large drink, and a quick check of the radar. Very strange pattern.....as the green rain appeared like cotton balls....Never seen anything like it before......
Cruised up towards Cherokee to commence the BRP....DOH!!!! THEY CLOSED WALLY WORLD!!
My outstreched arms are supposed to represent me saying "WHAT THE #$&*%" After a couple minutes, a NPS truck pulled up, and I discovered the first section was closed due to ice and snow from the previous night!! After wrestling with the Garmin to fanagle a new route, (and those familiar with Garmin will understand that), I headed toward Maggy Valley (?) to pick up the BRP. It was open and I was off!! Here are a few of my shots.....
Yes, that is snow and ice in the background.
I was bundled up!!
More of the BRP........
Arrived at Lake Powhatan Campground about 6:00, and set up "camp"
A bit spartan compared with the airstream, but hey, my 34 mpg sure beats 6!!
All went well till the rain came. Fortunatley I was covered mostly by the canopy on the airstream. Pretty good rain, but the tent did well. It rained lightly mostly through the night. Up at 5:00am, as my coffee was going to take about an hour to perc from via the sterno stove. Found out it almost took two hours!! Patience is definetely a virture when it comes to coffee via the sterno.
Headed up to the nearest McD for WIFI and to plan the day. More light showeres this AM. I've yet to check the radar.
